3 Supplements You Can Share With Your Dog

You might be surprised to know that there are supplements you can share with your dog. Vet-recommended supplements for dogs are often identical to their human counterparts. Buying human supplements to share with your beloved pooch is a simple way to save cash while maintaining your dog’s health. Check out these 3 canine-approved supplements you probably already have at home.

1. Fish Oil
For dogs who dread allergy season, some fish oil can help soothe the accompanying sniffles and skin irritation they experience. Giving fish oil to your dog has also been linked with improved heart health, arthritis and other health conditions. Plus, fish oil can give your pet a shiny, dog-food-commercial-ready coat. For this reason, many veterinarians recommend a daily dose year round.

Daily Dose: Try 20 mg per pound of bodyweight. That’s 1000 mg for a 50-pound dog. Exceed the recommended dose and your dog could experience heavy bleeding, inflammation and other serious side effects.

2. Glucosamine
If your dog isn’t his usual playful self, you might try adding some glucosamine to his daily diet. Often paired with chondroitin by veterinarians, this supplement can help treat arthritis by encouraging overall joint health. If you own a 50-pound or larger gentle giant, glucosamine may also be beneficial as a preventative additive.

Daily Dose: For daily maintenance, 20 mg per pound, or 1000 mg for a 50-pound dog, is a good starting point. Veterinarians often recommend higher doses for older dogs, so talk to your vet for customized instructions.

3. Vitamin C
Humans often boost their vitamin C intake during cold and flu season. For your dog, try adding vitamin C to daily meals when he’s sick or stressed. Even though dogs can make their own vitamin C, studies indicate that this essential nutrient in your dog’s blood plummets when he’s sick. The right amount of vitamin C increases white blood cell function and antibodies, which are vital for sick dogs.

Daily Dose: A conservative dose of Vitamin C is 18 mg per pound of bodyweight per day. For a 50-pound dog, that’s 900 milligrams. Feed too much vitamin C, and it could cause diarrhea.

Once you’ve decided on your dog’s supplement regimen, think about how to save on the pills you’ll need. If you’d like to buy human and dog supplements all in one place, try Amazon. Not only does the company offer free shipping for most orders over $35, but it also has great “Subscribe and Save” deals for daily vitamins.